US2174915A - Automobile frame - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 3, 1939. 1 l N. T. DIETRICH 2,174,915

AUTOMOBILE FRAME Filed July 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR /VFF 7. DIE nz/a/ ATTORNEY Oct. 3, 1939. N. r. DIETRICH AUTOMOBILE FRAME Filed July 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMOBILE FRAME Application July I i, 1934, Serial No. 735,254

8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in automobile frames.

An important object of the invention is to provide a simple but yet extremely sturdy connection between the longitudinal and transverse members of the frame, which is well suited for vehicles embodying independent springing of the Wheels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frame which possesses a very high torsion and shear resisting value and one which lends itself to economical fabrication.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the description and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a top plan of the improved frame.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan of one corner of the frame illustrating the manner of connecting the longitudinal and transverse members.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the same taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse section of the frame taken on the line 414 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the transverse member illustrating the manner of connecting the longitudinal members therewith.

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the same viewed from the underside thereof, and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the transverse member illustrating the approximate location of the openings through which the longitudinal rails are adapted to extend.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a pair of longitudinal side rails for the frame. These are of channel cross section possessing inwardly extending parallel flanges 2, to which are secured the forwardly extending arms 3 of an X-shaped member indicated in its entirety by the numeral 4. This X-shaped member is spaced a substantial distance from the forward transverse cross mem ber 5 and preferably at substantially the midsection of the frame. These arms 3 diverge forwardly of the frame and have their flanges 6 extending outwardly toward the side rails l and where they meet the side rails, are bent to extend parallel therewith as at l with the flanges 6 thereof secured to the flanges Z of the side rail to form the same into closed box cross section all the way out to substantially the free forward ends of the side rails. The rearwardly diverging arms 8 of the X-member 4 are of similar shape and cross section and are bent to parallel 5 the rear portions of the side rails as at 9 whereby their flanges can be fastened to those of the side rails in any suitable manner. However, in the present instance, and in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the flanges 6 of the arms 3 and 8 of the 10 X member are arranged in the same plane with those of the flanges 2 of the side rails for buttwelding thereto along the lines Ill, while the form of rail shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the extensions of the arms of the X-member which parallel the 15 side rails are needed within the channel rails and arranged to extend in directions opposite the flanges of the side rails with the latter overlapping and arc welded at their two inner corners as designated by the numeral il. However, it is to be understood that I do not wish to limit the invention to the manner in which the side rails are formed into closed box-cross section since the flanges may be riveted or spot welded together, and the extensions of the X-member may be arranged with their flanges extending in the same direction as those of the side rails in order that the webs may be spaced apart and the flanges extend in the same direction to provide overlapped flanges exposed on both sides for either riveting or welding.

From the above, it will be clear that this construction correlates the rear portion of the frame with the ordinarily stronger front and mid-sections in a manner that all three sections of the frame mutually interact in bracing one another and transmitting stress throughout the frame without danger of concentration upon the usual weaker rear end of the frame. Heretofore, the rear ends of the frame have been composed of mere H channel sections of greatly diminished web section over the rest of the side rails, thereby pro-- viding a rear end which possesses less torsional resistance to stress transmitted back to it from the stronger front and mid-sections. After short service in some of the cheaper cars, a clicking sound develops in the rear part of the vehicle when the brakes are applied or the car rolls over rolling road. This is the result of fastenings between the weaker end of the frame and the body and other adjuncts attached thereto. This has been eliminated by reconstructing the rear end of the frame as shown herein, using parts of the X-mernber to accomplish this and extending these parts of the X-member all the way 5..

out to the rear end of the frame to form the rear ends of the side rails into hollow or box section.

The forward and rear arms of the X-member may be connected together with gusset plates at their intersection or in any other suitable manner, or the corresponding arms 3 and 8 on the same side of the center line of the frame may be integral and formed all in one piece with the extensions 1 and 9 if so desired. Should it be desired to form the portions of the side rails [2 between the respective arms 3 and 8 into closed box cross section, channel-shaped reinforcements I3 have their flanges secured to those of the side rails as shown in Fig. 1. The ends of each reinforcement [3 may be bent inwardly as at M at points spaced from the points where the arms of the X member merges into the side rail and may be connected to the arm of the X member, preferably in the manner shown in Fig. 4 where the web of the reinforcement is welded along a vertical line 55 to the web of the X-member arm. The flanges l6 of the angular ends [4 may be welded as at ll to the flanges 6 of the cross member arms as shown by the cross-hatching.

A rear motor support is provided in a transverse member i3 arranged between the forwardly diverging arms 3 of the X member and secured thereto in any suitable manner, or this transverse member 13 may form an integral part of one or both reinforcements i3 on opposite sides of the vehicle frame.

The forward cross member of this frame is of unusual construction due to the functions it must perform. As indicated previously, this type of frame is particularly applicable to the independent springing of the front wheels of the type which appeared on the 1934 Buick models known as the Lomier type embodying coiled springs and inwardly diverging links pivotally connecting the steering axles with the front cross member. Due to the strength which must be built into such supporting structure, and the necessary strength of the connections between the cross member and side rails which must exist to take the strains imposed upon these two members by the independent springing of the wheels, the forward boxed in sections of the side rails are extended through and beyond the front walls of this cross member 5. This construction provides the requisite rigidity to sustain the loads in this innovation of wheel mounting.

This cross member 5 is of inverted channel cross section with a web or roof I9 and vertically depending parallel flanges 241 which terminate in outwardly and laterally extending flanges 2| surrounding the entire transverse or cross member. The forward and rear vertical flanges 20 are provided with aligned perforations 22 with the metal surrounding each perforation formed outwardly of the side of the cross member into outwardly extending flanges 23 which closely embrace the forward ends of the hollow side rails As will appear from Figs. 1 and 2, the forward extensions 1 of the X member forward arms also extend through and beyond the cross member 5 so that the box cross section of the rail is carried all the way through the cross member to terminate slightly forwardly thereof where the spring hanger brackets 46 are secured to the forward extreme ends of the side rails i. In order to firmly anchor and secure the cross member to the side rails, the flanges 23 surrounding the box section rail are welded, preferably by are welding all the way around their circumference and all the way around the perimeter of the side rails. This line of weld is indicated more clearly by the numeral 24 in Fig. 6.

The cross member 5 is formed with box-like cross section throughout the major portion of its length by fastening to the laterally extending flanges 2| by alternate rivets and spot welding, a bottom plate 25 conforming to the outline or configuration of the cross member. At each end of the plate 25, a depression is formed therein substantially of the same width as the distance between the parallel flanges 20 to extend inside of the cross member and form a lip or offset flange portion 21 which is welded as at 28 to the underside of the box section rail as shown more clearly in Fig. '7. This provides an extremely strong connection between the cross member and side rails.

To the underside of the roof of the cross member 5 at its two ends is welded a reinforcing plate 29 having opposed lugs 30 struck therefrom to form a mounting for the upper end of a coil spring of each independently sprung wheel.

As best seen from Fig. l, the closed box section front cross member 5 is a body formed into a pair of rearwardly diverging arms from a point at the longitudinal center of the frame. In order to add to the strength of the cross member, an upstanding rib 3! is raised in the roof of the cross member above each connection with the side rail to extend substantially transversely of the side rail. These ribs have their greatest height immediately above the side rail and gradually merge into the plane of the roof H! as clearly shown in Fig. 6.

The perforations through the flanges of the cross members for projection of the side rails are stretched and developed from elliptical shaped openings A in a flat blank as shown in Fig. 8 to the shape shown by the letter B during the several forming operations to which the blank must be subjected to bring it to the form shown in Fig. 6. Thereafter, the flanges 2B are perforated along the dotted lines C simultaneously with the formation of the flanges Z3 surrounding these openings. In the flange 20 adjacent the rail I, a flanged opening 3| is provided for the extension of the steering gear. A pedestal 32 is raised on the roof H9 at the center of the cross member 5 for the attachment of the radiator. Behind this embossed pedestal 32 and angular reinforcement plate 33 is attached with its angular base extended out between the base plate 25 and the wide intermediate portion of flange 2| which has an upturned lip 35 provided with an opening 36 for the extension of the angular lower end of the reinforcing plate 33. This provides a substantial mounting for the steering connection. Immediately behind this cross member are fixed motor mounting brackets 31 on each side rail as shown in Fig. 6.

Registering perforations 4 2 are provided in the rear flange 2! reinforcing plate 33 and bottom plate 25 for the steering connection mounting and opening M is provided in the flange 20 for the extension of the steering connection. A flanged opening 43 is provided at the center of the base plate 25 to afford access to the interior of the box section cross member as well as to facilitate the mounting of the steering connection and connection of the radiator.

It is to be understood that the various parts of the frame are applicable to other types of frames and that the scope of the appended claims is to be governed accordingly.

I claim:

1. In a vehicle frame, a pair of channel shaped side rails, a substantially X-shaped cross member connecting the same, and a member secured to the flanges of the rail for closing in the channel of each rail, and said member having both ends extending angularly inward and connected to the arms of the X member at points spaced from the side rails.

2. In a vehicle frame, a pair of channel shaped side rails, a substantially X-shaped cross member connecting the same, forwardly and rearwardly extending arms of the X member being extended along the side rails out to the ends thereof and secured to the flanges thereof for closing in the channels of the rails, and members for closing in the channel of each rail between the front and rear arms of the X-member.

3. In a Vehicle frame, a pair of side rails, a substantially X-shaped cross member at substantially the mid-section of the frame, said X-shaped member having a pair of forwardly diverging arms and a pair of rearwardly diverging arms connecting the rails in spaced relation and forming said rails into closed box section forwardly and rearwardly of the X-shaped member on out to the end of the rails, and said rails between the forward and rear arms of the X member being of closed box section for substantially the full distance between said arms.

4. In a vehicle frame, a pair of side rails, a substantially X-shaped member at substantially the mid-section of the frame, said X-shaped member having a pair of forwardly diverging arms connected to said rail and a pair of rearwardly diverging arms connected to said rails, a transverse member having its ends connected to said forwardly diverging arms, and a member paralleling each side rail between the forward and rear arms of the X-shaped member and having one end bent inwardly and connected to the forward arms of the X-member adjacent their points of connection with the transverse member.

5. In a vehicle frame, a pair of side rails, a substantially X-shaped member at substantially the mid section of the frame, said X-shaped member having a pair of forwardly diverging arms connected to said rails to form them into box section and a pair of rearwardly diverging arms connected to said rails, a transverse member having its ends connected to said forwardly diverging arms at points spaced from the side rails, and a member paralleling each side rail between the forward and rear arms of the X-shaped member and having an end bent inwardly and connected to the forward arms of the X-shaped member adjacent their points of connection with the transverse member.

6. In a vehicle frame, a pair of channel-shaped side rails, a substantially X-shaped cross member connecting the same at substantially the mid section of the frame, forwardly and rearwardly extending arms of the X-member being extended along the side rails and secured tothe flanges thereof for closing in the channels of the rails from the points of intersection of the X-member arms with the side rails on out to the ends thereof, and a member for each rail between the forward and rear arms of the X-shaped member forming the side rails into closed box section and connected to said forward arms.

7. In a vehicle frame, a pair of channel-shaped side rails, a substantially X-shaped cross member connecting the same near the mid-section of the frame, forwardly and rearwardly extendin of the X-member being extended along the side rails and secured to the flanges thereof for closing in the channels of the rail, and a member for each rail co -extensive with the portions thereof between the front and rear arms of the X-shaped member for forming said portions of the rails into box-shaped cross section, and said member having its forward end bent inwardly and secured to the front arm of the X-member.

8. In a vehicle frame, a pair of channel-shaped side rails, a substantially X-shaped cross member connecting the same near the mid-section of the frame, forwardly and rearwai dly extending arms of the X-member being extended along the side rails and secured to the flanges thereof for closing in the channels of the rail, and a member for each rail co-extensive with the portions thereof between the front and rear arms of the X- shaped member for forming said portions of the rails into box-shaped cross section, and said member having its ends bent inwardly and secured to the front and rear arms of said X-member.

NEFF' T. DIE'I'RICH.

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